Magneto-optical single dot spectroscopy of GaSb/GaAs type II quantum dots

We have investigated magneto-optical properties of GaSb/GaAs self-assemble type II quantum dots by single dot spectroscopy in magnetic field. We have observed clear Zeeman splitting and diamagnetic shift of GaSb/GaAs quantum dots. The diamagnetic coefficient ranges from 5 to 30 μeV/T². The large coefficient and their large distribution are attributed to the size inhomogeneity and electron localization outside the dot. The g-factor of GaSb/GaAs quantum dots is slightly larger than that of similar type I InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots. In addition, we find almost linear relationship between the diamagnetic coefficient and the g-factor. The linear increase of g-factor with diamagnetic coefficient is due to an increase of spin-orbit interaction with dot size.     

Effect of high pressure treatment on sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract

This paper describes the changes in biochemical activities of sarcoplasmic reticulum(SR) and Ca²⁺ release from SR in the rabbit skeletal muscle subjected to a high pressure treatment(100∽300 MPa) to investigate the mechanism for pressure-induced meat tenderization and acceleration of meat conditioning. Pressure-dependent changes were observed in the both extra and basal ATPase activities of SR prepared from the muscles exposed to high pressure. Ca²⁺ uptaking ability of SR vesicles measured by fluorescent chelating reagent, indo-1, decreased with increasing pressure applied to the muscle. Ultrastructural studies revealed that Ca²⁺ which was mainly localized in the SR region of the untreated fiber bundles was translocated into myofibrils in the pressurized muscle. Obtained results in this report may be one of the causes for meat tenderization and acceleration of meat conditioning induced by high pressure treatment.     

SSD1, which encodes a plant-specific novel protein,controls plant elongation by regulating cell division in rice

Plant height is one of the most important traits in crop improvement. Therefore revealing the mechanism of plant elongation and controlling plant height in accordance with breeding object is important. In this study we analyzed a novel dwarf mutant, ssd1, of which phenotype is different from typical GA- or BR-related dwarf phenotype. ssd1 exhibits pleiotropic defects in elongation of various organs such as stems, roots, leaves, and flowers. ssd1 also shows abnormal cell files and shapes, which suggests defects of normal cell division in the mutant. Map-based cloning and complementation test demonstrated that the dwarf phenotype in ssd1 mutant was caused by insertion of retrotransposon in a gene, which encodes plant-specific protein with unknown biochemical function. A BLAST search revealed that SSD1-like genes exist in diverse plant species, including monocots and dicots, but not fern and moss. Our results demonstrate that SSD1 controls plant elongation by controlling cell division in higher plants.     

Interaction of highly charged ions with carbon-based materials using Kobe EBIS

Interaction of highly charged ions (HCIs) with surfaces produce various specific phenomena as a consequence of the potential energy that HCI possesses. In the present study, we have observed photon emission, structural, magnetic, and electronic modification on various carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotube by the impact of HCIs using an electron beam ion source named Kobe EBIS installed at the Kobe University. In order to study the potential effect, HCIs of Ar^q+ (q = 6–16) with the intensity of 0.1–1 nA are projected on the surface with a constant kinetic energy (16 keV). For photon emission measurements, we observed spatial and spectral distribution of visible light emission from the surface during irradiation with HCIs. On the other hand, the structural modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) irradiated with HCIs has been analyzed using a transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Irradiation effects on the resistivity of single MWCNT supported on micrometer scale bridge pattern were also measured. We have also measured magnetic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite irradiated with HCIs using electron spin resonance at low temperature. At the present paper, we will review our recent experimental results on the interaction of HCI with various carbon-based materials.     

The cosmological term and a modified Brans-Dicke cosmology

Adding the cosmological term , which is assumed to be variable in this paper, to the Brans-Dicke Lagrangian, we try to understand the meaning of the term and to relate it to the mass of the universe. We also touch upon the Dirac large-number hypothesis, applying the results obtained from the application of our theory to a uniform cosmological model.     

Itinerant to relocalized transition of f electrons in the Kondo insulator CeRu4Sn6

The three-dimensional electronic structure and the nature of Ce 4f electrons of the Kondo insulator CeRu₄Sn₆ are investigated by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, utilizing tunable photon energies. Our results reveal (i) the three-dimensional k-space nature of the Fermi surface, (ii) the localized-to-itinerant transition of f electrons occurs at a much high temperature than the hybridization gap opening temperature, and (iii) the “relocalization” of itinerant f-electrons below 25 K, which could be the precursor to the establishment of magnetic order.     

Preparation of Ring and Chain Condensed Oligophosphates

Preparations of small-ring and short-chain condensed phosphates were made by dry and wet processes, respectively. The crystallization of tetra- hexa-, and octaphosphates from the phosphate solution was not easy, and metal salts of these oligophosphates were amorphous and unstable at normal temperature. Guanidine tetraphosphate and ammonium hexaphosphate were crystalline and stable at normal temperature.     

Additional cytotoxic substances isolated from the sponge-derived Gymnascella dankaliensis

A continuous investigation of secondary metabolites produced by the sponge-derived fungus, Gymnascella dankaliensis, has yielded a new polyketide tyrosine derivative, dankastatin C (3) and the known steroid, demethylincisterol A₃ (4), which was originally found from a Homaxinella marine sponge. The stereostructure of the new compound has been determined based on the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Dankastatin C (3) showed potent cell growth inhibitory activity against the murine P388 cell line.     

Synthesis and properties of thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters containing 9,10-diphenylanthracene moiety in the main chain

We synthesized thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters in which 9,10-diphenylanthracene moieties are incorporated into the main chain type of polyester forming the chiral smectic C (Sm C*). The polymers were prepared by the isopropyltitanate-catalyzed reaction of biphenyldicarboxylic acid and the corresponding diols, with different ratios of diol of 9,10-diphenylanthracene moiety to the alkane diols (1, 5, and 10 mol %) under nitrogen atmosphere. The polymers exhibited thermotropic liquid crystals despite the presence of a bulky diphenylanthracene moiety in the main chain. The circular dichroism spectra revealed that a Sm C* phase was formed in the polymer with 1 mol % of anthracene moiety, although only an Sm A phase was formed in the other polymers. This is the first example of a Sm C* polyester containing a diphenylanthracene moiety in the main chain. Furthermore, we measured the optical properties of the polymers and found that they exhibited very high fluorescent efficiency. The fluorescence spectra of the thin film differed from that of a CH₂Cl₂ solution.